This 4-day tour takes you to the renowned Akagera National Park for a game drive, boat ride, and mountain gorilla tracking in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a habitat to half of the 880 numbers known to thrive worldwide. The gorilla destination of Bwindi Impenetrable NP is also a rich habitat for Afro-montane flora. The recreation encounter on Lake Bunyonyi known as the Lake of 29 Islands presents rejuvenation following a day-long gorilla trekking experience.
After breakfast, you will be picked up by our safari guide who will transfer you to Akagera National Park in the eastern part of Rwanda. The drive is approximately 2½ hours. On arrival, you will go for a nature walk after which you will have lunch at Akagera Rhino Lodge. In the afternoon you will go for a canoe ride on Lake Ihema to see aquatic animals such as hippos and crocodiles as well as water birds like the papyrus Gonolek, shoebill stork, and African fish eagle. You will be returned to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
After breakfast (preferably at 6 am), you will drive with your packed snacks to Akagera National Park's reception to arrive around 9 am. You will check in and start your game safari through the scenic areas where you will see lakes and hippo beaches. Animals you can expect to see include elephants, giraffes, herds of antelopes, rhinos, hippos, crocodiles, cats, and buffalos. If you are a birdwatcher, this is also a great birding spot. At around 1 pm, you will head to the border for clearance to transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in Uganda where you will have gorilla trekking. You will have dinner and an overnight stay.
After early morning breakfast, you'll walk to the park headquarters for a briefing on the dos and don’ts during gorilla tracking. Thereafter, you will proceed to the gorilla trail. Gorilla tracking normally lasts between 2 to 8 hours or even a day to encounter the gorillas. However, you'll be allowed to stay in the presence of these awesome apes for at least an hour. You should carry a packed lunch, which will be provided, as one cannot determine how long it may take to encounter the mountain gorillas. Later, you'll transfer to Lake Bunyonyi. The drive is through a beautiful part of the country often referred to as ‘the Switzerland of Africa’ because of its unique cool weather despite being near the Equator. This lake is said to be one of the most beautiful places in western Uganda. It is the second deepest lake in Africa (900 meters deep) and one of the few places in the country where it is safe to swim as it is bilharzia-free. Your dinner and overnight stay will be at your lodge.
After breakfast, you will take a boat ride on this lake to tour different islands. Then you will head to another border, this time the Katuna border to cross to Rwanda. Upon reaching, you will do a Kigali city tour starting with the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre visit. You will check different city landmarks and craft markets. Thereafter, you'll be transferred to Kigali Airport to catch your departure flight back home.
Includes/Excludes
Cost Includes
- Park fees
- (For non-residents)
- Gorilla permits
- (One per person, non-resident)
- All activities
- (Unless labeled as optional)
- All accommodation
- (Unless listed as upgrade)
- A professional driver/guide
- All transportation
- (Unless labeled as optional)
- All Taxes/VAT
- Meals
- (As specified in the day-by-day section)
- Drinking water
- (On all days)
Cost Excludes
- International flights
- (From/to home)
- Roundtrip airport transfer
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Tips
- Personal items
- (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees